Virat Kohli becomes most expensive player in IPL history

IPL Player Retention 2018 — Image Source : PTI A file image of RCB skipper Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday retained India captain Virat Kohli for a whopping sum of INR 17 crore, making him the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League. RCB also decided to retain South African explosive batsman AB de Villiers and young Mumbai batsman Sarfaraz Khan. (HIGHLIGHTS IPL Player Retention 2018)

De Villiers was retained at a fee of 11 crores while RCB paid 1.75 crores for Sarfaraz.

The announcements were made at the IPL 2018 Player Retention event in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings, who are making a comeback to the IPL after a two-year suspension, retained Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja.

Dhoni was retained for a sum of 15 crores, Raina was retained for 11 crores and Jadeja will be paid 7 crores.

Delhi Daredevils retained Rishabh Pant (8 crores), Chris Morris (7.1 crores) and Shreyas Iyer (7 crores).

Kings XI Punjab retained just one player - Axar Patel for 6.75 crores.

Two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders have retained West Indians Sunil Narine (8.5 crores) and Andre Russell (7 crores).

KKR have, however, decided against retaining captain Gautam Gambhir.

Meanwhile, defending champions and three-time winners Mumbai Indians have retained three players in Rohit Sharma (15 crores), Hardik Pandya (11 crores) and Jasprit Bumrah (7 crores).

The champions of the inaugural season - Rajasthan Royals, who are also making a comeback to the league with CSK, have retained Australia's Steve Smith for a sum of 12 crores.

IPL 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad have retained their captain and Australian batsman David Warner (12 crores) and India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (8.5 crores).

The IPL 2018 auctions will be held on January 27, 28.